Combination ladder step and support



Feb. 7, 1928.

J. WIRTH COMBINATION LADDER STEP AND SUPPORT Filed Jan. 4. 1927 INVENTORWITNESSES JoknWirZk ATTORNEY Patented Feb. 7, 1928.

UNITED STATES JOHN WIRTH, OF NEW YORK, N. Y.

COMBINATION LADDER STEP AND SUPPORT.

Application filed January 4, 1927. Serial No. 158,944.

This invention relates to combination lad der steps and supports.

An object of the invention is to provide a device of this characterwhich may be positioncd wherever desired along the length of a ladder,which will provide an extended step for the feet of the workman, whichwill function as a support for a. paint bucket or other articles, andwhich will also function to support the ladder.

A further object is to provide a device of this character which can bemanufactured and sold at an extremely low price, which may be easily andquickly attached to a ladder, and which will most etliciently performthe functions for which it is intended.

lVith these and other objects in View, the invention consists incertainnovel features of construction and combinations and arrangementsof parts, which will be more fully hereinafter described and pointed outin the claim.

In the accompanying drawings- Figure 1 is a fragmentary perspective viewshowing my improved step in operative position on the ladder;

Figure 2 is a view in verticalseotion showing my improved step inposition to engage a building and support the ladder;

Figure 3 is a sectional plan view on the line 33 of Figure 2;

Figure 4 is a fragmentarysectional plan view illustrating amodification;

Figure 5 is a fragmentary view in section on the line 5-5 of Figure 4.

l, 1 represent the uprights or stiles of the ladder and 2 the rungsthereof. 3 represents my improved combined step and support, whichconsists preferably of a sheet of metal which may be of the requiredshape and which may be reinforced and strengthened in any desired mannerto give the necessary rigidity thereto, but I have only illustrated mydevice as a plain sheet of metahand it to be understood that I do notlimit myself in this respect.

The device 3 presents a straightedge 4 at one end, adapted to engage thewall of a building 5 and support the ladder at the proper inclination,although it is of course to be understood that this edge 4 may beotherwise shaped, as may be desired.

The device 3 is provided at its opposite edges with recesses 6, 6 toreceive the stiles 1 of the ladder, and the inner end of the metal sheetforming the device is bent downwardly CPI I flange 7.

at an angle forming a ladder-engaging This flange 7 and the walls of therecess 6 constitute a stile-engaging member which is rigid and whichholds the step in position, as it will be noted that when the step is inoperation, as shown in Figure 2, the tendency is to force the outer orfree end of the step upwardly which serves to bind the step tightlyagainst the stiles of the ladder, the intermediate portion of the stepbeing supported upon the rung 2 of a ladder, so that the device as awhole is rigid and will effectually support a workman, giving him amplefoot room, and can also support paint buckets, brushes, tools and otherarticles.

To further insure the positioning of the device on the ladder I providethe step 3 with upwardly projecting lugs 8 which are located against thefaces of the stiles 1, and these lugs 8 are formed when the recesses 6are formed, or, in other words, by cutting out these lugs and bendingthem upwardly the recesses 6 are formed, so that there is no loss ofmaterial. I of course secure the lugs against th stiles of the ladder inany approved manner but I have illustrated clamps 9 for this purpose.These clamps 9 comprise two angular members connected by bolts 10 andwing nuts 11 to clamp them around the stiles and around the lugs 8effectually to secure the device against any movement on the ladder. Inthe modification illustrated in Figures 4 and 5, I provide the step 12with laterally movable slides 13 at the inner portion of the ladder,mounted to move in grooves 14; and secured at any desired position ofadjustment by means of bolts 15 which are projected through the slidesand through slots 16 in the recessed portion of the ste and secured bynuts 17, as clearly indicate in Figures 4. and 5 of the drawings.

The device may be readily positioned on any rung of the ladder, and maybe removed by disposing the same at an angle to the ladder so as toallow the device to be moved through the ladder between the rungsthereof, and it is of course to be understood that the recesses 6 aresufficiently wider than the width of the stiles to allow a free movementthereof.

Various changes and alterations might be made in the general form of theparts described without departing from my invention and hence I do notlimit myself to the precise details set forth but consider myself atlibert t0 make such changes and alteraadapted to receive the stiles of aladder, said tions as airly fall within the spirit and scope In sadapted to rest against the stiles of the 10 of the appended claim. lader, and clamping means engaging said 1 claim: lugs, said plate at oneend having a down- 5 A device of the character described, inwardly andinwardly bent flange engaging eluding ametal plate, lugs cut from theends the faces of the stiles opposite to the taces of the plate and bentat an angle thereto engaged by the lugs. leaving recesses in the ends ofthe plate JOHN WIRTH.

